Prompt: Hats

Hats. Have you ever worn a different hat every day for a whole year? I have. Let me tell you, it was a different adventure than I was used to. See, I had asked my girlfriend to marry me about a year after we started dating, which might have been too soon. She asked me "How do I know you really love me? Will you do anything for me?" To which I obviously replied, "Yes." So, she made me wear a different hat everyday for an entire year. Sure, holidays were easy... A green top hat for St. Patrick's day... A santa hat for Christmas... a Chef's hat for Thanksgiving... but towards the end of the year I was running out of ideas.

It was midnight, so it was officially New Years eve, meaning there was exactly twenty-four hours left in mine and Piper's hat deal. I had proposed last year on New Years day in New York City, which Piper believed was the center of the universe. See, we were both in the performing business. We met two years when we both auditioned for RENT on Broadway. She was trying for Mimi and I tried for Rodger. Neither of us made it but we still met up a few times a week for coffee, and eventually that turned into something more.

When day light finally appeared in my little New York apartment, it was time for work. My boss, Charlie, was a jerk, and didn't let us take off if we didn't absolutely need to. I think the last time I took off from work, I had to get major knee surgery, because I fell down some stairs and broke something.

I heard the familiar ringing of my cell phone in my bedroom. I ran quickly to get it and and answered it at the last minute. "Hello?" I said, slightly winded.

"Jason? It's Piper. Throw down the keys." She said. We didn't technically share my apartment, but she came over all the time anyways. Even if I had to go to work, but she didn't. Her boss was pretty awesome and let them take off quite often. Piper and I had this thing going where I would throw her the extra set of keys from my balcony and she would hang out all day and practice for her next audition. Piper, in all honesty, was the most amazing singer I'd ever heard. She didn't really like anything that was on the radio, so we sat around and listened to Broadway songs off one of our iPods.

I hung up the phone and quickly grabbed the nearest hat before she saw me without it. it was just a regular hat, kind of like something someone would wear to keep their ears warm. I leaned over my balcony and saw her pretty brunette head. She had her hair in a french braid, as usual. I don't think I've ever seen her with her hair down. When I threw down the keys she caught them with ease (OMG it rhymes!) and stuck her thumb up to tell me she got them.

I ran back inside and grabbed my suitcase. I worked at the library- lame, I know- so I could take my laptop during my break and use the free wi-fi. I bolted out the door and quickly locked it behind me, which was stupid because it was going to be unlocked in another few minutes, but in New York you never knew what was going to happen next.

I got on my bike and drove down the street, unwilling to start the day.

I got home with about twenty minutes to New Years. Piper was waiting for me in my living room by the window with a bottle of Champaign and two of those party noise makers. I kissed her on the cheek and felt around in my pocket for my little box. When I was sure it was there I sat down with her. Finally the countdown began.

TEN.

"I love you." I tell Piper as she grabs her noise maker and snuggles into me.

NINE.

"I love you too." She says and kisses me.

EIGHT.

"You know, it's a year in about seven seconds." I say.

SEVEN.

"You've been paying attention." She jokes with me.

SIX.

"I always pay attention. I have from the moment you and I had to sing 'Tango: Maureen' together." I tell her.

FIVE.

"Jason, that was like three years ago, wasn't it?" She asks.

FOUR.

"It was. But I never got over how perfect you were."

THREE.

"We're perfect together."

TWO.

"Marry me?" I ask her, getting down on one knee, taking off my hat and presenting her the ring one more time.

ONE.

"How did I know you were going to do that again? Of course I'll marry you." She says. I can hear people all over the street lighting things and popping things and shouting "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Happy New Year indeed...